Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Template:Infobox runner Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (born 29 August 1988) is an English sprinter. In 2005 he was named as the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year and the IAAF's Rising Star of the Year after becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 metres and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships.[1]
Aikines-Aryeetey was born in Carshalton, London to Ghanaian parents. He studied at Greenshaw High School in Sutton, London from 2000–2006. His first major tournament medal came at the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games where he won the silver medal in the 100 m.[2]
On 11 June 2006 he competed in the 100 m at Gateshead in which Asafa Powell equalled the world record of 9.77 s. On 16 August 2006, he won the gold in the 100 m at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Athletics, held in Beijing, China, setting a season's best 10.37 s.
He was advised not to run in 2007 due to minor fractures in the spine that could affect later development. After an eleven month recuperation period,[3] he returned to action in 2008 with a 60 metres personal best of 6.59 s in France to signal a return to form.
Aikines-Aryeetey was selected for Team GB at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics. As part of the men's 4x100 m relay team with Simeon Williamson, Tyrone Edgar and Marlon Devonish, he took bronze in Berlin with a season’s best of 38.02 seconds.
Personal bests
| Event | Best | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 metres | 6.55 s | Birmingham, United Kingdom | 13 February 2010 |
| 100 metres | 10.10 s | Rieti, Italy | 7 September 2008 |
| 200 metres | 20.91 s | Marrakech, Morocco | 17 July 2005 |
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Nickname
Aikines-Aryeetey is nicknamed The sutton speedster by his fans.
References
- ^ Historic Double for Harry Aikines Aryeetey highlight of last day of the IAAF/Maroc Telecom World Youth Championships. IAAF (2005-07-17). Retrieved on 2009-02-22.
- ^ A rising star. BBC Sport (2006-01-30). Retrieved on 2009-02-22.
- ^ Britain's sprinting star. The Guardian (2009-01-10). Retrieved on 2009-02-22.